Integrated engine welder and hydraulic pump

ABSTRACT

An integrated welder, generator and hydraulic unit that includes a housing that at least partially contains components of a welder, generator and a hydraulic pump. An engine, an electric current generator, and a hydraulic pump are at least partially mounted in the housing. The electric current generator is at least partially connected to the engine to be at least partially driven thereby. The hydraulic pump can be at least partially powered by the electric current generator or the fuel powered engine during the operation of the engine. The integrated welder, generator and hydraulic unit can also include an air compressor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/911,325 filed on Aug. 4, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,642,487.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/683,749 filed Feb. 11,2002; 10/390,436 filed Mar. 17, 2003; and 10/758,641 filed Jan. 15, 2004are incorporated herein and illustrate several types of integratedwelder, generator and compressor units that can be used in combinationwith the present invention.

The present invention relates generally to engine driven weldingmachines, and more particularly to a welder/generator and hydraulic pumpunit that can be transported to a site for welding and/or for operatinghydraulic equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Engine driven welding machines include a gas powered engine to run agenerator which supplies power to the welding electrode. Two such enginewelders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,296,027 and 6,172,332, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. The generator can also beused to operate other electrical equipment (e.g., lights, pumps, etc.).On a construction site, welding equipment and other types of equipmentare commonly used. The engine driven welder is commonly used to provideelectrical power to electric welders, lights, power tools, etc. Airpowered tools and hydraulic equipment are also commonly used at aconstruction site, warehouses, etc. Such equipment is typically poweredby a separate air compressor or a separate hydraulic pump assembly.

While these units have satisfactorily provided power to various types ofequipment at various sites, the use of a hydraulic pump assembly and anengine driven welder, or a hydraulic pump assembly, an air compressorand an engine driven welder have some disadvantages. Although the enginewelder, hydraulic pump assembly and air compressor are portable, it isnevertheless difficult and time consuming to load and unload theseseparate units, and then position and setup the various components whichare to be used with such units. In addition, these separate unitsrequire a certain amount of space in a transport vehicle, thus canresult in multiple vehicles having to be used to transport all thecomponents associated with these units. Furthermore, some hydraulicpumps and/or air compressors are powered by electricity. When suchelectric devices are used at a work site, the hydraulic pump and/or aircompressor must be plugged into and powered by an electric power sourcewhich may or may not be available or easily available at a particularsite.

In an effort to address the past problems associated with the use of aseparate engine welder and air compressor, a self contained integratedwelder/generator and compressor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,809,and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/683,749 filed Feb. 11, 2002;10/390,436 filed Mar. 17, 2003 and 10/758,641 filed Jan. 15, 2004, whichare incorporated herein by reference. These patent and patentapplications disclose a self-contained and fully integratedwelder/generator and compressor unit. The welder/generator andcompressor unit includes a housing that contains the components of thewelder/generator and compressor unit (e.g., compressor, generator,welder electronics, engine, fuel tank, etc.). An engine and anelectrical current generating alternator are mounted within the housingof the welder/generator and compressor unit. The electrical currentgenerating alternator is connected to the engine to be driven thereby,and the air compressor can be connected by belt or gears to the engineto drive the air compressor or the air compressor can be electricallyconnected to the electrical current generating alternator to run the aircompressor. The housing includes an output panel that includeselectrical outlets, welding lead receptacles, air compressor outlets,etc.

Although the prior art integrated engine driven welder and compressorunits have addressed the use of an air compressor and an engine welderas a combined unit, there is not such a combined unit for an enginewelder and hydraulic pump device. It is not uncommon for a welder to beused with a hydraulic lift to enable an operator to weld componentstogether that are located several feet off the ground. In addition, itis not uncommon that hydraulic tools are used at the same site as anengine welder. These tools include impact wrenches, drills, saws,pullers, crimping tools, pressfitting tools, jacks, drivers, tamper,breaker, grinder, hydraulic stands, etc. When hydraulic lifts and/ortools are used at a particular site, a hydraulic pump powered by a fuelpowered engine or electric motor must be used to drive a hydraulic pumpto provide hydraulic pressure to the lift and/or tools. Although thehydraulic pump and power source for the hydraulic pump can be made fortransport to various sites, it is difficult and time consuming to loadand unload the hydraulic pump and power source for the hydraulic pump,an engine welder and other tools at a particular site, and then positionand setup the various components which are to be used with such units.In addition, these separate units require a certain amount of space in atransport vehicle, thus can result in multiple vehicles having to beused to transport all the components associated with the two units.

In view of the state of the prior art, there remains a need for a singleunit that can provide both electrical power for a welding procedure andhydraulic power for use by various types of tools at a work site, andwhich unit can be easily transported to various work site locations, andwhich unit is easier to operate and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an integrated engine driven welderand hydraulic unit that can be conveniently transported to a site forwelding and/or for operating hydraulic and/or electric power tools, andcan be operated and maintained by a user. The present invention isdirected to an integrated engine driven welder, hydraulic unit and aircompressor that can be conveniently transported to a site for welding;and/or for operating hydraulic, air powered and/or electric power tools;and can by operated and maintained by a user.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a self-contained and fully integrated welder/generator andhydraulic unit. The integrated welder/generator and hydraulic unit isprovided with a housing to protect the internal components of thewelder. At least partially protected by the housing is a fuel poweredengine and an electric generator. The fuel powered engine runs theelectric generator which in turn produces electricity for the arcwelder. The electric generator is selected to produce electricity forvarious types of arc welders such as, but not limited to, TIG welders,plasma arc welders, SAW welders, MIG welders, STT and other waveformwelders. Electric circuitry can be included within the housing tocontrol the amount of current, voltage, power and/or the waveform ofcurrent directed to the electrode of the welder. A fuel tank istypically provided within the housing to supply fuel to the fuel poweredmotor. The fuel tank can be positioned in various areas within thehousing, but is generally positioned at or near the base of the housingor engine welder. A filler tube is typically connected to a portion ofthe fuel tank and extends upwardly from the fuel tank and through aportion of the housing to enable an operator to refill the fuel tank.The filler tube and fuel tank can be made from one or multiple pieces ofmaterial. The filler tube and fuel tank are typically made of a durablematerial such as, but not limited to, plastic and/or a metal material.The engine welder typically includes a control panel to operate variousinternal components of the welder and/or to provide connectors tovarious components of the welder. A fixed or adjustable exhaust pipe forthe fuel powered engine can be included on the engine powered welder.These and other standard components of an engine driven welder aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,172,332; 6,263,926 and 6,296,027, whichare incorporated herein by reference. The engine welder housing can alsoinclude one or more storage compartments and/or holders adapted to storeand/or hold various welding tools, hydraulic tools, air powered tools,maintenance tools, electrodes, coolant, gas cylinders and/or othersupplies on or within the housing. One non-limiting arrangement of theone or more storage compartments and/or holders that can be used isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,972, which is incorporated herein byreference. The engine welder can be transported by a welding carriage;however, this is not required. One non-limiting welding carriage whichcan be used is disclosed in Assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/411,106, filed Oct. 4, 1999, which is incorporated herein byreference. The engine powered welder can also include a filler tube andfuel tank arrangement that includes a fuel gauge to monitor the fuellevel in the filler tube and/or fuel tank; however, this is notrequired. The fuel gauge, when used, enables an operator to monitor fuellevels within the filler tube and/or fuel tank to enable an operator toanticipate when the engine welder needs to be refueled and/or to notifyan operator during the refueling process of the fuel tank when the fueltank is filled, thereby avoiding spillage and waste of fuel. Theminimizing of spillage can reduce damage to the welder and/or componentsabout the welder, and the time and money required for clean-up of thespilled fuel. One non-limiting configuration of the filler tube and fueltank that can be used is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,172,332;6,263,926; 6,296,027; and 6,619,337, which are incorporated herein byreference. A grommet or insert can also be used in the fueling cavity ofthe housing. The grommet or insert, when used, is designed to at leastpartially seal the region about the fueling cavity to inhibit and/orprevent fluids from entering the interior of the housing. Onenon-limiting configuration of a grommet or insert that can be used isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,172,332; 6,263,926; 6,296,027; and6,619,337. In one embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic unit is atleast partially positioned in the housing and at least one component ofthe hydraulic unit can be connected to the engine (e.g. drive shaft,auxiliary shaft, etc.) and/or electrical alternator in the housing. Thehydraulic unit can include one or more hydraulic pumps (e.g.,centrifugal pump, piston pump, gear pump, diaphragm pump, Discflo™ pump,global pump, impeller pump, electromagnetic pump, peristaltic pump, vanepump, screw pump, axial flow pump, double acting pump, linear pump,multi-stage pump, reciprocating pump, pneumatic pump, helical pump,etc.) to generate the hydraulic pressure to drive one or more lifts,motors, hydraulic tools and/or other hydraulically powered devices. Inanother and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, the hydraulicunit can have a hydraulic connector mounted to the housing which is usedto connect one or more hoses or tubes to enable pressured hydraulicfluid to run one or more hydraulic devices. In still another and/oralternative embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic pump can bedriven by an electric motor connected to the electric generator of theengine welder, an electric motor connected to one or more batteries, anelectric motor connected to an electric generating device other than theelectric generator (e.g., fuel cell, solar cell, etc.), an electricmotor connected to an external electric source, one or more beltsconnected to at least one rotating shaft of the fuel powered engine ofthe engine welder, one or more belts connected to at least one rotatingshaft of the electric generator, one or more gears connected to at leastone rotating shaft of the fuel powered engine of the engine welder, oneor more gears connected to at least one rotating shaft of the electricgenerator of the engine welder, and/or compressed gas (e.g. air). Instill yet another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, thehydraulic unit includes a clutch to engage and disengage the pump fromthe pump power source or drive of the pump. The clutch is designed todisengage the pump from the power source when a hydraulic tool or otherdevice is not connected to the hydraulic unit and/or is not in use. Suchdisengagement reduces and/or prevents damage to the pump. The clutch canbe a manual and/or automatic clutch. A clutch is typically used when thepump is connected by a belt or gear arrangement to one or more rotatingshafts of the fuel powered engine and/or electric generator. In afurther and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, an electricswitch, which can be manual and/or automatic, is used to activate and/ordeactivate an electric motor used to power the pump. The switch can bedesigned to only operate the pump at certain times and/or under certainconditions to reduce and/or prevent damage to the pump.

In accordance with another and/or alternative aspect of the presentinvention, the hydraulic unit can be ergonomically positioned within thehousing of the engine welder. When the pump of the hydraulic unit is atleast partially powered by a gear or a belt arrangement, the pump istypically located near the rotating axle of the fuel powered motor orelectric compressor. When the pump is powered by an electric motor, theelectric motor and pump can be positioned in a variety of locations inthe engine welder housing that has sufficient space for the electricmotor and pump. The versatility of positioning the components of thehydraulic unit in the welding housing significantly improves the ease ofdesign of the engine welder.

In accordance with a further and/or alternative aspect of the presentinvention, the hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic pump, a power drivefor the hydraulic pump, hydraulic fluid, an accumulator (e.g., pistontype, bladder type, etc.) used to store and/or supply hydraulic fluid,and one or more control values to control the flow of the hydraulicfluid in the hydraulic unit. The power drive of the hydraulic pump caninclude an electric motor connected to one or more an internal electricsources (e.g., electric generator, battery, fuel cell, solar cell, etc.)and/or one or more external electric sources (e.g., power outlet,external generator, external fuel cell, external solar cell, etc.), oneor more belts and/or gears connected to an internal and/or externaldrive (e.g., rotating shaft of fuel powered engine of the engine welder,rotating shaft of the electric generator, etc.) and/or pressurized gas(e.g., air, etc.) from an gas compressor that is used to directly orindirectly power the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic unit can also includea shock suppressor to reduce shock or surges during operation of thehydraulic unit. The hydraulic unit can also include one or more pressureand/or flow rate gauges to monitor the hydraulic fluid pressure and/orflow rate in one or more portions of the hydraulic unit. When a clutchand/or switch is used to control the operation of the hydraulic unit,one or more gauges can be used to at least partially control theautomatic operation of the clutch and/or switch, and/or provideinformation to manually operate the clutch and/or switch. In onenon-limiting design, the gauge can be designed to send a signal when thedetected pressure or flow rate falls below a preset value and/or risesabove a preset value. In this design, the signal generated by the gaugecan be used to activate the pump when the detected pressure or flow rateis too low or stop the pump when the detected pressure reaches a desiredvalue or is too high and/or the detected flow rate substantially stops.A gauge can be positioned on the housing of the engine welder (e.g.,front panel) to enable a user to monitor or read the hydraulic fluidpressure and/or flow rate.

In accordance with still a further and/or alternative aspect of thepresent invention, the hydraulic unit positioned on and/or at leastpartially within the housing of the engine welder housing is designed toat least partially power one or more components of a lift unit. The liftunit can be used to elevate an operator to weld objects positioned abovethe ground. The lift unit typically includes a telescoping boom,articulating boom and/or scissor boom that is used to elevate a platformto enable an operator to welding objects located above the ground.Examples of lift units that can be used are illustrated in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,669,517; 5,755,306 and 5,934,409, which are incorporated hereinby reference. The power source of the lift unit can include batteries,electric generator, hydraulic power etc. The lift unit can be a selfpropelled unit or be movable by other vehicles. In one embodiment of theinvention, the engine welder of the present invention at least partiallysupplies power to one or more components of the lift unit. In one aspectof this embodiment, the hydraulic pump associated with the engine weldersupplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to one or more components of thelift unit. The pressurized hydraulic fluid can be used to power the boomof the lift, cause the wheels of the lift to rotate when the lift is aself propelled unit, etc. In another and/or alternative aspect of thisembodiment, the electric generator associated with the engine weldersupplies electric current to one or more components of the lift unit.The supplied electric current can be used to power one or more controlsand/or monitors on the lift unit, power one or more electric motors onthe lift unit that are used to move the boom and/or cage of the liftunit, move the lift unit if self propelled, power one or more lights onthe lift unit, power one or more pumps on the lift unit (e.g., hydraulicpumps, etc.), power one or more air compressors on the lift, charge oneor more batteries on the lift unit, etc. In still another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the electric generator and/orhydraulic unit associated with the engine welder substantially suppliesall the power to the lift unit. These arrangements can be used tosimplify the electronics and/or hydraulic systems that are associatedwith the engine welder and lift unit. In one particular design, thehousing of the lift unit is also used to house one or more components ofthe engine welder. In this design, the size and/or orientation of thecomponents of the engine welder and lift unit can be optimized to createa more compact design. In another and/or alternative design, one or morecomponents of the engine welder can be located on and/or connected tothe cage or lift platform of the lift unit.

In accordance with still yet a further and/or alternative aspect of thepresent invention, the engine welder includes a gas compressor unit thatis at least partially positioned in the housing of the engine welder.The gas compressor unit includes an gas compressor and a power drive forthe gas compressor. The power drive for the gas compressor can includean electric motor connected to the electric generator of the enginewelder, an electric motor connected to one or more batteries, anelectric motor connected to an electric generating device other than theelectric generator (e.g., fuel cell, solar cell, etc.), an electricmotor connected to an external electric source, one or more beltsconnected to at least one rotating shaft of the fuel powered engine ofthe engine welder, one or more belts connected to at least one rotatingshaft of the electric generator, one or more gears connected to at leastone rotating shaft of the fuel powered engine of the engine welder, oneor more gears connected to at least one rotating shaft of the electricgenerator of the engine welder and/or hydraulic fluid from a hydraulicunit that is used to directly or indirectly power the air compressor.Many types of air compressors can be used (e.g., piston or reciprocatingcompressors, rotary or screw compressors, centrifugal or axialcompressors, etc.). The compressor can have a pressurized air outletmounted to the housing of the engine welder. In one embodiment of theinvention, the compressor unit includes a clutch to engage and disengagethe air compressor from the power drive or power source. The clutch isdesigned to disengage the air compressor from the power drive when anair powered tool or other device is not connected to compressor unitand/or is not in use. Such disengagement reduces and/or prevents damageto the air compressor. The clutch can be a manual and/or automaticclutch. A clutch is typically used when the air compressor is connectedby a belt or gear arrangement to one or more rotating shafts of the fuelpowered engine and/or electric generator. In another and/or alternativeembodiment of the invention, the compressor unit includes a pressurizedair receiver or accumulator tank. The pressurized air receiver oraccumulator tank can be at least partially mounted in the housing and beconnected to the pressurized air output of the air compressor unit. Thereceiver tank is used to store pressurized air. As can be appreciated, aplurality of receiver tanks can be positioned in the housing of theengine welder. In still another and/or alternative embodiment of theinvention, the compressor unit includes one or more pressure monitorsand/or pressure valves are designed to at least partially monitor and/orcontrol the air pressure of one or more components of the compressorunit. For instance, a pressure monitor and a pressure valve can beconnected to the accumulator tank to monitor and/or display the pressurein the accumulator tank. When the pressure approaches or exceeds amaximum pressure, the pressure monitor and/or a pressure valve at leastpartially causes a) air to be released from the accumulator tank, and/orb) a slow down and/or disengagement of the air compressor from the powerdrive to reduce to stop the flow of pressurized air into the accumulatortank. Additionally or alternatively, when the pressure falls below acertain pressure, the pressure monitor and/or a pressure valve at leastpartially causes a) air to be stored in the accumulator tank, and/or b)engages the power drive of the air compressor to begin or increase theflow of pressurized air into the accumulator tank. As can beappreciated, a pressure monitor and a pressure valve can be connected toother and/or additional components in the housing to monitor thepressure, display the pressure, release the pressure and/or to controlthe pressure. A pressure gauge can be positioned on the housing of theengine welder (e.g., front panel, etc.) to enable a user to monitor orread the current pressure level in the receiver tank. In still yetanother and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, the compressorunit includes a pressure valve that is typically designed to beconnected to a hose of an air powered tool or device; however, thepressure valve can be designed to alternatively or additionallyconnected to other devices (e.g., lift unit, etc.). Typically, thepressure valve is a typical valve used in association with aircompressor equipment; however, any type of air pressure valve can beused. The pressure valve is typically located on the front panel of thewelder housing; however, the valve can be positioned in other locations.The pressure valve can be designed to send a signal when the pressurevalve opens or closes. This signal can be used to at least partiallycontrol the activation or deactivation of the power drive of the aircompressor.

In accordance with another and/or alternative aspect of the presentinvention, the engine welder includes an engine that drives an electricgenerator to create an electrical current that is used to power aparticular arc welding process and one or more other electrical devices.The engine welder typically includes one or more circuits to providestandard 120V and/or 240V AC power. Commonly, the exterior of thehousing will include one or more outlets that allows one or moreexternal electrical devices to be plugged into the engine welder and tobe powered by the engine welder during the operation of the engine inthe engine welder. The housing of the engine welder can also oralternatively include one or more circuits to power one or more internalcomponents (e.g. hydraulic unit, compressor unit, etc.). In oneembodiment of the invention, the housing of the engine welder includes aswitch and/or control circuit to activate and deactivate one or moreinternal components. The switch and/or control allows the operator toonly activate the one or more internal components when needed. Theactivation/deactivation or on/off switch is typically located on thefront face of the engine welder where many of the other control knobsand/or switches are located; however, the activation/deactivation oron/off switch can be located in other areas on the engine welder. Inanother and/or alternative one embodiment of the invention, one or moreautomatic and/or manual switches and/or circuits are located internallyand/or externally of the housing to control the power source for one ormore internal components in the housing. For instance, the one or moreinternal components can be designed to be powered by one or more powersources (e.g., hydraulic fluid, gear drive, belt drive, internallypowered electric motor, externally powered electric motor, etc.). Theone or more automatic and/or manual switches and/or circuits can be usedto manually or automatically control which power source is to be used topower one or more internal components. For instance, the circuit can bedesigned to detect whether the fuel powered motor of the engine welderis operating, and if so, cause one or more internal components to be atleast partially powered by the fuel powered motor and/or electricgenerator. The circuit can be also designed to select a hierarchy ofavailable power sources to be used to power one or more internalcomponents.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an enginewelder that can supply power to welding equipment and hydraulic power toone or more hydraulic tools and/or hydraulic devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an engine welderthat is more convenient and easier to operate.

Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder which is easier to set up and/or transport tovarious locations.

Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder which is easy to assemble, easy to connect thewelding accessories of a welder to the housing, easy to connecthydraulic tools and/or hydraulic devices to the housing, and/or easy totransport the welding accessories and/or tools along with the enginewelder to various locations.

Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention isto provide an engine welder that includes a hydraulic pump.

A further and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder that includes a hydraulic unit that is simple,reliable and durable to use, and which electric hydraulic unit can beergonomically positioned in the housing of the engine welder.

Still a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder that includes a hydraulic pump that can bepowered by an electric motor connected to the electric generator of theengine welder, an electric motor connected to an external electricsource, one or more belts connected to at least one rotating shaft ofthe fuel powered engine of the engine welder, one or more beltsconnected to at least one rotating shaft of the electric generator, oneor more gears connected to at least one rotating shaft of the fuelpowered engine of the engine welder, one or more gears connected to atleast one rotating shaft of the electric generator of the engine welderand/or pressurized air from an air compressor that is used to directlyor indirectly power the hydraulic pump.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an engine welderthat can supply pressurized air to various types of air tools and/orother air powered devices.

Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder that includes an air compressor.

Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder that supplies pressurized hydraulic fluidand/or pressurized air to one or more components of a lift unit.

Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention isto provide an engine welder that includes one or more componentsintegrated with a lift unit.

Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide an engine welder that includes a pressure monitoring system thatmonitors and/or controls the pressure in one or more components of theengine welder.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and following thisdescription taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the drawings which illustrate variousembodiments that the invention may take in physical form and certainparts and arrangements of parts wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled engine welder in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of another configuration of the enginewelder;

FIG. 3 is a partial cut away view of the side of the engine welder ofFIG. 1 or 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cut away view of the top of the engine welder ofFIG. 1 or 2;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a hydraulic lift unit that at leastpartially incorporates the engine welder of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a hydraulic unit integrated withan engine welder;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and acompressor unit integrated with an engine welder;

FIG. 8 is another schematic representation of a hydraulic unitintegrated with an engine welder;

FIG. 9 is another schematic representation of a hydraulic unit and acompressor unit integrated with an engine welder;

FIG. 10 is still another schematic representation of a hydraulic unitand a compressor unit integrated with an engine welder; and,

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a hydraulic unit integratedwith an engine welder in a hydraulic lift unit.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and notfor the purpose of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate variousembodiments of the invention. These figures illustrate a self-contained,portable and fully-integrated welder/generator 100 in accordance withthe present invention. Unit 100 includes a housing 110 having a topportion 112, two side portions 114, 116, a back side 118 and a frontpanel 130. The welding housing is designed to encase at least a portionof the internal components of the engine welder. Positioned in the topportion 112 of welding housing 110 is an exhaust pipe 140. The top ofthe housing typically includes one or more fluid accesses 147, 148 toadd coolants, lubricants, etc. to the engine located in the housing. Thetop of the housing can include a lift device 157 having an opening 158.The lift device, when present, is used to lift and/or move the enginewelder by use of a crane or similar apparatus. A grommet 170 is alsolocated on the top portion of the housing. A fuel cap 178 is used toclose the opening into the filler tube that is used to fill the fueltank of the engine welder. An engine access panel 120 is located on side114 of the housing. The access panel allows a user access to theserviceable components of the engine. The access panel is connected tohinges 122 to enable the panel to be opened. A latch or handle 124 isused to open and close the access panel. Another access opening 126 canbe positioned on side 114 closer to the front of the engine welder toallow access to components in the front portion of the housing. Theaccess panel is also connected to hinges 127 to enable the panel to beopened. A latch or handle 128 is used to open and close the accesspanel. One or more sides of the housing include air vents 129 to allowair flow through the housing so as to facilitate in cooling the internalcomponents of the housing. Housing 110 can include one or morecompartments, not shown, that provide a storage area for welding tools,general maintenance tools (e.g., hammer, wrench, screwdriver, etc.),air-powered tools, hydraulic powered tools, electric powered tools,lights, etc.

The front face or panel 130 of housing 110 also includes a vent 138 thatallows for air flow within the housing. The front panel also includesvarious switches, knobs, indicator lights and meters and gauges 132,134, 136 to monitor and/or control the operation of thewelder/generator. The front panel also includes electrical connectors142, 144 to connect a welding gun and/or other electrical equipment tothe welder/generator. Typically the front face includes at least one 120volt connector and at least one 240 volt connector; however, othercombinations can be used (e.g., two 120 volt connectors, two 240 voltconnectors, etc.). As can be appreciated, the voltage rating can beother than 120 and/or 240 volts (e.g. 230V, 277V, 380V, 400V, etc.). Ascan be further appreciated, one or more volt connectors can bepositioned on the front face and/or other locations on thewelder/generator. The front panel and/or one or more other regions ofthe welder/generator can include one or more features of thewelder/generator and compressor unit, e.g., an on/off key slot, a startbutton for the internal combustion engine, one or more circuit breakers,a light, voltage and/or current meters, welding current settings,warning indicators, time meters, circuit breakers, remote controlconnectors, choke controls, etc. One non-limiting design for the frontpanel of the engine welder is similar to that of the RANGER series ofengine welders offered by The Lincoln Electric Company. As can beappreciated, many other configurations can be used based on desiredaesthetics of the front panel, engine welder functions, etc. The enginewelder can be used for stick welding, TIG welding, MIG welding, fluxcored welding and/or gouging. The engine welder can also be designed foruse with a wire feeder.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the front panel of the housing includes ahydraulic pump switch 150 to activate and deactivate the operation of ahydraulic pump. Two hydraulic fluid connectors 152, 154 are positionedon the front panel to supply hydraulic fluid to various types ofhydraulic powered tools. As can also be appreciated, the hydraulic fluidconnectors can be located on other regions of the housing. In addition,the hydraulic pump switch can be located in other regions of thehousing. A hydraulic fluid gauge 156 is positioned on the housing toprovide information on the pressure level of the hydraulic fluid flowingfrom at least one of the hydraulic fluid connectors. As can beappreciated, the switch, hydraulic fluid connectors and/or hydraulicfluid gauge can be located on other areas of the housing.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a modified front panel of the housing isillustrated. The front panel has all the components of the front panelshown in FIG. 1 and further includes an air compressor switch 160 toactivate and deactivate an air compressor. The front panel also includesa pressurized air outlet 162 used to connect to an air pressure hosethat supplies pressurized air to various types of air powered tools. Anair pressure gauge 164 is also positioned front panel to provideinformation on the pressure level of the air being expelled from thepressurized air outlet. As can be appreciated, more than one pressurizedair outlet can be positioned on the front panel. As can also beappreciated, one or more pressurized air outlets can be located on otherregions of the housing. In addition, the air compressor switch and/orpressure gauge can be located in other regions of the housing.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an internal combustion engine 180 iscontained within and mounted at one end of the housing 110. The internalcombustion engine is typically provided with an air cleaner, a muffler182, an exhaust pipe 184, an oil filler tube 188 and a battery (notshown) to start the engine. A radiator 190 and fan 192 are included inthe housing to cool the engine. Coolant tubes 194 allow the coolant toflow from the radiator into the engine. The coolant access 147 on thetop of the housing allows a user to add coolant and/or monitor thecoolant level in the radiator. A fuel tank 200 located in the base ofthe housing supplies fuel to the engine. Typically, the fuel tank issecured to the bottom of the housing. Positioned on the top region offuel tank 200 is a filler tube 210 which extends upwardly from the fueltank and to a tube access opening 212 in the top of housing 110. Thefiller tube and the fuel tank are shown to be made of a one-piecematerial; however, the filler tube can be connected to the fuel tank inother arrangements (e.g. weld, solder, adhesive, etc.). The filler tubeis also illustrated as being formed from a single piece of material;however, the filler tube can be formed from multiple components. Thefuel tank and filler material can be made of the same or differentmaterials. The filler tube includes a top portion 214 and a bottomportion 216. The base of the filler tube has a larger cross-sectionalarea than top of the filler tube. The cross-sectional shape of thefiller tube is shown to be generally rectangular. The bottom portion ofthe filler tube has a larger diameter rectangular cross-sectional areathan the rectangular cross-sectional area of the top portion. A majorityof the bottom portion of the filler tube is shown to have asubstantially constant cross-sectional area. Close to the top region ofthe bottom portion, the cross-sectional area tapers downwardly at atransition area until obtaining the size of the cross-sectional area ofthe top portion. The cross-sectional area of the top portion isillustrated as being substantially uniform along the completelongitudinal length of the top portion. As a result, the bottom portionof said filler tube has a cross-sectional area that is greater than anyregion in the top portion of the filler tube. As can be appreciated,other cross-sectional shapes can be used for the top and/or bottomportion of the filler tube. The large cross-sectional area and volume ofthe bottom portion of the filler tube is designed to reduce the rate atwhich the fuel rises in the filler tube after the fuel tank has beenfilled. The reduced rate that the fuel rises in the filler tube duringthe filling of the filler tube with fuel allows an operator more time toterminate the flow of fuel into the filler tube once the operator isnotified or learns from the fuel level indicator that the fuel tank isfilled.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the top of the filler tube extendsthrough the access opening on the top of the housing and through grommet170. Grommet 170 is inserted into tube access opening 212 and seals thetube access opening to inhibit or prevent fluids from entering theinterior of the housing. The grommet is also designed to direct fuelthat inadvertently spills into the grommet to a side of the enginewelder. The grommet is generally a one-piece structure made of aflexible material such as rubber. As can be appreciated, the grommet canbe a multi-piece structure that is connected together by various means(e.g. heat, adhesive, etc.). Grommet 170 includes a base surface 172 anda side wall 174 that extends about the outer perimeter of the grommet.The base surface and side wall form an internal cavity in the grommet. Atube opening is positioned in the base surface of the grommet. The shapeof the tube opening is selected to enable the top of the filler tube toextend through the tube opening and to form a seal about the fillertube. Typically the tube opening closely matches the cross-sectionalshape of the top of the filler tube or top fill section that extendsthrough the tube opening. The grommet can be secured in the accessopening in a variety of ways. Grommet 170 is shown as including a lip176. The lip is illustrated as partially curving over a side of thehousing of the engine welder. The lip is designed to direct fluids thathave inadvertently spilled into the grommet internal cavity to flowoutwardly from the cavity and over the side of the side of the housing.As such, the lip facilitates in the flow of fluids from the internalcavity of the grommet. The grommet can be designed so that when thegrommet is secured in the tube access opening, the base surface of thegrommet slopes downwardly toward the lip. The sloped base surface causesfluids which have inadvertently spilled into the internal cavity of thegrommet to flow out of the internal cavity and onto the lip and thenover the side of the housing. The sloped surface also causes the fluidflowing from the internal cavity of the grommet to accelerate as thefluid approaches the lip. The faster moving the fluid facilitates in thefluid flowing over the lip.

A fuel level monitor is typically used to indicate the level of fuel inthe fuel tank. The fuel level monitor includes a fuel gauge 146 locatedon the front panel of the housing and a fuel level sensor (not shown)located in the fuel tank and/or filler tube. The fuel lever sensor isdesigned to measure one or more fuel levels in the fuel tank. The fuellevel sensor can be designed to use mechanical, chemical and/orelectrical means to detect a fuel level. The fuel level indicatorprovides the operator with information on the amount of fuel left infuel tank, thereby providing the operator with information to determinewhether a particular operation should be started and completed prior tothe fuel in the fuel tank being exhausted. If an operator determinesthat the operation will take more time than the amount of fuel in thefuel tank can provide to run the engine, the operator can re-fill thefuel tank prior to operation so that the operation does not have to beprematurely terminated and restarted due to the engine running out offuel. The fuel gauge can include a light to illuminate when one or moredetected fuel levels in the fuel tank and/or filler tube are detected,or illuminate when the fuel level monitor is in operation. A audiblealarm (not shown) can be included on the housing. The audible alarm,when used, is designed to make a sound when one or more detected fuellevels in the fuel tank and/or filler tube are detected. The audiblealarm can be designed to generate different sounds and/or sound levelsfor different detected fuel levels. The audible alarm can include alight to illuminate when one or more detected fuel levels in the fueltank and/or filler tube are detected. The light, like sound, is used todraw the operator's attention to the fuel gauge. The audible alarm isused to draw an operator's attention to the fuel gauge so as to notifythe operator that a particular fuel level in the fuel tank has beenreached and/or exceeded. During the fueling of the engine welder, theoperator may become distracted. The audible alarm is useful in regainingthe attention of the operator during the fueling process so that propermonitoring of the level of fuel in the fuel tank occurs during thefueling process. As can be appreciated, the audible alarm can be used asa back up monitor in the instances wherein the fuel gauge fails orprovides an inaccurate fuel level reading. The fuel level monitor, whenused, can be electrically powered and/or be mechanically operated. Whenthe fuel level monitor is electrically powered, the fuel level monitorcan be can powered by the electricity generated by the engine welderduring operation of the engine welder and/or powered by a alternative oradditional power source (e.g., battery, solar cell, fuel cell, etc.).

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, an electric current generator 230 ismounted within the housing 110. The electric current generator isconnected to internal combustion engine 180 by a motor shaft 232. Themotor shaft is typically directly connected to electric currentgenerator 230; however, a gear box and/or belt drive, not shown, can beinserted therebetween to control and/or regulate the speed at which theelectric current generator is operated by internal combustion engine180. In one particular, non-limiting arrangement, internal combustionengine 180 is a water cooled and/or air cooled engine. The engine isdesigned to operate at a nominal speed of 1800 RPM with a 4-polegenerator design or 3600 RPM with a 2-pole generator design. Theauxiliary power provided by the electric current generator is normallyabout 60 hertz so as to be able to run standard power tools and lights.As can be appreciated, other sized engines and/or alternators can beused. Engine 180 typically includes an auxiliary drive output shaft 196.A primary drive 198 is typically connected to the cooling fan 192. Thecooling fan can be driven by an electric fan motor 220 that is connectedto the fan by a fan belt 222 or be driven by a gear and/or beltconnected to a shaft of the engine. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thehousing is divided into several sections by internal wall partitions240, 242. The partition walls provide structural strength to the housingand divide the internal components of the housing from one another. Thedivision of the internal components by the partition walls also can beused to protect the components from one another. Partition wall 240divides the section containing the combustion engine from the sectioncontaining the electric generator. Motor shaft 232 passes through anopening in partition wall 240. Typically located in the same section asthe electrical generator is the electrical circuitry used to generatethe arc currents of the engine welder through electrical connectors 142and 144. As can be appreciated, one or more electrical circuits can belocated on other regions in the housing. A contact connector/switch 300is also positioned in the section between partitions 240, 242. Typicallythe power from the electric generator is 120V or 240V power.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, a hydraulic pump 250 is mounted withinhousing 110. The hydraulic pump can be a belt driven, gear driven orelectric pump. When the hydraulic pump is belt driven or gear driven,the belt(s) or gear(s) are typically connected or interconnected to adrive shaft of the combustion engine. If the combustion engine includesan auxiliary drive shaft, the belt(s) or gear(s) are typicallyinterconnected to such drive, otherwise the belt(s) or gear(s) areconnected or interconnected to the main drive shaft of the combustionengine. As can be appreciated, the belt(s) or gear(s) can be connectedor interconnected to other rotating or reciprocating shafts in thehousing of the engine welder. A clutch can be used in conjunction to abelt or gear driven pump to control the speed and/or operation of thepump. When the hydraulic pump is driven by an electric motor, the powerfor the electric motor can be supplied from generator 230 and/or from anexternal source via electric plug 270. As can also be appreciated, plug270 can be stored in a compartment in the housing (not shown). The useof plug 270 allows a user to operate the hydraulic pump without havingto start and operate engine 180 of the engine welder. Hydraulic pumpswitch 150 is typically used to activate or deactivate the hydraulicsystem. In on arrangement, the switch electrically connects ordisconnects the electric motor on the hydraulic pump from a powersource. In another arrangement, the switch activate and/or deactivatethe clutch that is used to engage and disengage the hydraulic pump toone or more belt(s) or gear(s) used to drive the hydraulic pump. As canbe appreciated, the switch can be used in other or additionalarrangements to activate and/or deactivate the hydraulic system.Hydraulic pump is illustrated as being positioned near the rear of theengine welder; however, it will be appreciated that the hydraulic pumpcan be located in other regions of the engine welder, especially whenthe hydraulic pump is driven by an electric motor. The hydraulic pump isdesigned to pump hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic system that is atleast partially located within housing 110. Many types of hydraulicpumps can be used depending on size, cost and/or intended use of thehydraulic system. As can be appreciated, more than one hydraulic pumpcan be used in the hydraulic system. In the arrangement illustrated inFIG. 3, hydraulic pump 250 is supplied hydraulic fluid from one or morereservoirs 252. The reservoir is illustrated as being position withinthe housing; however, this is not required. The hydraulic fluid fromreservoir 252 flows through pipe or tube 254 and into the hydraulicpump. The hydraulic pump then pumps the hydraulic fluid through pipe ortube 258 to a valve 260. Value 260 either directs the hydraulic fluid tohydraulic fluid connector 152 or to reservoir 254. The hydraulic fluidflowing back to the engine welder passes through fluid connector 154 andthrough check valve 262 and into reservoir 254. The check valve is usedto inhibit or prevent the back flow of hydraulic fluid through fluidconnector 154. As can be appreciated, the operation of one or morevalves of the hydraulic system can be manual, semi automatic and/orautomatic. The fluid pressure gauge 156 is typically connect to line 258and/or fluid connector 152 to indicate the pressure of the hydraulicfluid. The fluid pressure gauge and/or another pressure monitor can bedesigned to generate a signal that is used to control the operation ofthe hydraulic pump and/or valve 260. In one non-limiting design, thefluid pressure gauge and/or another pressure monitor generates a signalthat is used to terminate the operation of the hydraulic pump when acertain pressure level of the hydraulic fluid is detected and/or if noflow of hydraulic fluid through fluid connector 152 is detected. Such anarrangement can facilitate in inhibiting or preventing unnecessaryoperation of the hydraulic pump. As can be appreciated, other and/oradditional control arrangements for the hydraulic system can be used.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an air compressor system is illustrated asbeing incorporated in the housing along with a hydraulic system. Theincorporation of an air compressor system in the housing is optional.The air compressor system includes an air compressor 280 that is mountedwithin housing 110. The air compressor can be belt driven, gear driven,hydraulic fluid driven, or driven by an electric motor. When thehydraulic pump is belt driven or gear driven, the belt(s) or gear(s) aretypically connected or interconnected to a drive shaft of the combustionengine. If the combustion engine includes an auxiliary drive shaft, thebelt(s) or gear(s) are typically interconnected to such drive, otherwisethe belt(s) or gear(s) are connected or interconnected to the main driveshaft of the combustion engine. As can be appreciated, the belt(s) orgear(s) can be connected or interconnected to other rotating orreciprocating shafts in the housing of the engine welder. A clutch canbe used in conjunction to a belt or gear driven air compressor tocontrol the speed and/or operation of the air compressor. When the aircompressor is driven by an electric motor, the power for the electricmotor can be supplied from generator 230 and/or from an external sourcevia electric plug 270. The use of plug 270 allows a user to operate theair compressor without having to start and operate engine 180 of theengine welder. Air compressor switch 160 is typically used to activateor deactivate the air compressor system. In one arrangement, the switchelectrically connects or disconnects the electric motor on the aircompressor from a power source. In another arrangement, the switchactivate and/or deactivate the clutch that is used to engage anddisengage the air compressor to one or more belt(s) or gear(s) used todrive the air compressor. As can be appreciated, the switch can be usedin other or additional arrangements to activate and/or deactivate theair compressor system. The air compressor is illustrated as beingpositioned near the rear of the engine welder; however, it will beappreciated that the air compressor can be located in other regions ofthe engine welder, especially when the air compressor is driven by anelectric motor. Many types of air compressors can be used depending onsize, cost and/or intended use of the air compressor system. As can beappreciated, more than one air compressor can be used in the aircompressor system. One or more air accumulator tanks 282 are fluidlyconnected to air compressor 280. The air accumulator tanks arepositioned in the housing; however, this is not required. A pipe or hose284 conveys air from the compressor to the air accumulator tank. The aircompressor system includes pressure gauge 164 that monitors the airpressure in one or more of the air accumulator tanks. The air compressorsystem also includes a control valve 286 that can be used to regulatethe flow of air into and/or out of the one or more of the airaccumulator tanks. The control valve can be manually, semi-automaticand/or automatically controlled to direct compressed air from the aircompressor into one or more air accumulators and/or to direct compressedair from the air accumulators and/or air compressor through pipe 290 toair outlet 162. The air compressor system also includes a pressurerelease valve 288 to control the pressure in one or more accumulatortanks. The pressure release valve can be manually, semi-automaticallyand/or automatically controlled so as to inhibit or prevent overpressurization of one or more accumulator tanks. The pressure gauge 164and/or one or more other pressure monitors can be used to generate asignal that is in turn used to control the operation of air compressor,pressure valve 286 and/or pressure release valve 288. In onenon-limiting design, the pressure gauge generates a signal that is usedto terminate the operation of the air compressor when a certain pressurelevel is detected in one or more accumulators and/or if no air flow isdetected through air outlet 162. Such an arrangement can facilitate ininhibiting or preventing unnecessary operation of the air compressorand/or over pressurization of one or more accumulators. In anothernon-limiting design, the pressure gauge generates a signal that is usedto activate the operation of the air compressor when a certain pressurelevel is detected in one or more accumulators and/or if air flow isdetected through air outlet 162. Such as arrangement can facilitate ininhibiting or preventing under pressurization of the air accumulatortanks during the use of the air compressor system. As can beappreciated, other and/or additional control arrangements for the aircompressor system can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, various schematic representations areillustrated concerning the integration of a hydraulic unit with anengine welder. Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a hydraulicpump that is directly connected to the motor or interconnected to themotor via a clutch 302. Hydraulic pump 250 can be connected orinterconnected to motor 180 by one or more belts and/or gears. Thedotted line representation for clutch 302 indicates that this componentis an optional component. As shown in FIG. 6, hydraulic pump switch 160controls the operation of clutch 300 so as to control the operation ofhydraulic pump 250. When the hydraulic unit is activated by switch 150,hydraulic pump 250 is operated by motor 180. Hydraulic fluid is drawnfrom reservoir 252 through pipe 256 into the pump and is pumped out ofthe pump through pipe 258 to valve 260. Valve 260 is indicated as alsobeing controlled by hydraulic switch 150. Hydraulic fluid gauge 156indicates the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in pipe 258. Valve 260controls the flow of hydraulic fluid in pipe 258 into hydraulic fluidconnector 152. A hydro tool 310 is operated by hydraulic fluid from theengine welder when it is connected to hydraulic fluid connectors 152,154. Check valve 262 ensures that the hydraulic fluid properly flowsthrough the hydraulic fluid connectors.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic representation of a hydraulic unitand an air compressor unit integrated into an engine welder is setforth. Hydraulic pump 250 is illustrated as being directly connected toor interconnected via a clutch 302 to motor 180. Hydraulic pump 250 canbe powered by one or more gears or belts that are connected orinterconnected to motor 180. The operation of the hydraulic unitillustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to the operation as set forth in FIG.6. A controller 330 is illustrated in FIG. 7 as receiving input from oneor more components of the hydraulic unit and/or controlling theoperation of one or more components of the hydraulic unit. For instance,controller 330, when activated by pump switch 150, can detect thepressure in pipe 254 via pressure gauge 156 and use such information toactivate or deactivate hydraulic pump 250. Controller 330 can also bedesigned to operate valve 260 to control the flow of the hydraulic fluidthrough hydraulic fluid connectors 152, 154. The air compressor 280 ofthe air compressor unit is also illustrated as being directly connectedor interconnected via clutch 302 to motor 180. The air compressor can bedriven by one or more gears or belts that are directly connected tomotor 180 or interconnected to motor 180 via clutch 302. A controller340 is illustrated as controlling the operation of air compressor 280when activated by air compressor switch 160. During the operation of aircompressor 280, compressed air is directed through pipe 284 to a controlvalve 286 which in turn directs air into an accumulator tank 282 and/orthrough pressure outlet 162. An air pressure gauge 164 indicates thepressure of the compressed air in the accumulator tank and/or flowingthrough air outlet 162. An air tool 320 can be connected to air outlet162 so as to be operated by the air compressor unit in the enginewelder. Controller 340 is illustrated as being potentially connected toregulation valve 288, control valve 286, pressure gauge 164 and/orclutch 302. Controller 340 can be designed to receive information fromone or more of these components so as to control the operation of one ormore components based upon the information received. For instance,pressure information received from pressure gauge 164 can be used bycontroller 340 to open and close pressure release valve 288 so as to notover-pressurize the air compressor unit. Alternatively or additionally,controller 340 can use the information received from pressure gauge 164to control the operation of control valve 286 to re-pressurize theaccumulator tank and/or to direct compressed air out through air outlet162 and into an air tool 320. Alternatively and/or additionally, theinformation received from pressure gauge 164 can be used by controller340 to activate and/or deactivate air compressor 280 directly and/orindirectly via clutch 302. As can be appreciated, many other and/oradditional control arrangements can be incorporated into the aircompressor unit.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a hydraulic unit is illustrated as beingincorporated into an engine welder similar to the arrangement disclosedin FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 8, hydraulic pump 250 is operated byan electric motor 350. The electric motor can be powered by electricgenerator 230 and/or an external power source via electric plug 270.Controller 330 is illustrated as receiving and/or transmittinginformation or instructions to one or more components of the hydraulicunit so as to control one or more components of the hydraulic unit.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a hydraulic unit and acompressor unit incorporated into an engine welder similar to theschematic illustrated in FIG. 7. In FIG. 9, both the hydraulic pump 250and the air compressor 280 are operated by electric motors 350, 360,respectively. The electric motors can be powered by electric generator230 and/or by an external power source via electric plug 270.Controllers 330 and 340 are designed to receive and/or transmitinformation to one or more components of the hydraulic unit and/or aircompressor unit, respectively, and to operate one or more components ofthese units based upon the information received and/or pre-programmed orpreset in the controller. As can be appreciated, the hydraulic pump 250and/or air compressor 280 can be powered in different ways. Forinstance, hydraulic pump 250 can be powered by an electric motor and aircompressor 280 can be driven by motor 180 via one or more gears orbelts. Similarly, air compressor 280 can be powered by an electric motor360 while hydraulic pump 250 is driven by motor 180 via one or morebelts or gears.

Referring now to FIG. 10, another arrangement of a hydraulic unit andair compressor unit integrated into an engine welder is disclosed. Inthis arrangement, the air compressor is powered by a hydraulic motor370. The source of the hydraulic fluid for hydraulic motor 370 is thehydraulic unit incorporated into the engine welder. As shown in FIG. 10,hydraulic pump 250 directs hydraulic fluid into lines 254 and 255. Line255 directs hydraulic fluid into hydraulic motor 370 when control valve382 is open. Controller 340 of the air compressor unit can be designedto operate control valve 382. A pressure gauge 380 is connected to line255 to indicate the hydraulic pressure in the line. If the detectedhydraulic pressure in line 255 is too low and/or too high, theinformation from pressure gauge 380 can be used by controllers 330and/or 340 to cause hydraulic pump 250 to increase the hydraulic fluidpressure in line 255. The hydraulic fluid flowing through hydraulicmotor 370 flows through line 257 and back into the reservoir 252. Acheck valve 263 ensures that the hydraulic fluid does not backflowthrough hydraulic motor 370. The operation and/or control of the othercomponents of the hydraulic unit and the compressor unit are similar tothe control schemes previously discussed above.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 11, there is illustrated a hydraulic liftsystem 400 and a schematic representation of powering one or morecomponents of the hydraulic lift from the hydraulic unit in an enginewelder. Hydraulic lift system 400 is designed to house and/orincorporate most of the components of an engine welder. In one design,the drive chassis 430 of the hydraulic lift system 400 includes asection wherein an engine welder can be mounted therein and connected tothe components of the hydraulic lift system. In another arrangement, thechassis of the hydraulic lift system incorporates various components ofthe engine welder so as to integrate the components of the engine welderin the chassis itself. Referring now to FIG. 11, hydraulic pump 250 isillustrated as being directly connected to motor 180 or interconnectedto motor 180 via clutch 300 so as to power the hydraulic pump. As can beappreciated, pump 250 can be powered by an electric motor. The hydraulicfluid pumped through hydraulic pump 250 is supplied to the lift unit vialine 254. A valve 440 is designed to allow hydraulic fluid into thecomponents of the lift unit when the lift unit is activated. FIG. 11also illustrates that one or more hydraulic tools could also be operatedin addition to the operation of the lift unit; however, such a design isoptional. Controller 330 can be designed to receive information from apressure gauge 450 and to use such information to activate anddeactivate hydraulic pump 250 when the hydraulic fluid demand to thelift unit increases or decreases.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a hydraulic lift system400 is shown. The hydraulic lift system includes a personnel platform410 attached to the load-receiving end of a three-section, Z-shapedarticulating boom 420. The upper section 422 of the articulating boom420 is attached to the personnel platform 410 and telescopes 424. Themiddle and lower sections 424 and 426 define a raising linkage. Theraising linkage extends from a turntable that is mounted on a drivechassis 430. The turntable and the drive chassis form the base of thelift system. The articulating boom is designed such that it can extendupward and/or can be lowered into a stowed position. The drive chassiscan be operated like a vehicle to move the lift system to any desiredlocation on the work site. As is known in the art, the drive speed ofthe drive chassis is typically reduced when the articulating boom israised from the stowed position. The turntable is rotatably mounted onthe drive chassis so that the upper section can extend in any directionfrom the drive chassis. A drive motor of a drive system is typicallymounted below the turntable, although the drive system may be mountedelsewhere. The drive motor can be electric powered and/or hydraulicallypowered such as by the hydraulic unit of the engine welder. Typically,the hydraulic lift includes one or more electrical controls to operatethe lift. The electrical controls can be powered by battery, an externalpower source, and/or by the generator of the engine welder. The enginewelder is typically housed in and/or connected to the drive chassis 430.The hydraulic unit of the engine welder is also used to supply hydraulicfluid to one or more component of the hydraulic lift. As shown in FIG.5, the drive chassis includes four wheels 432. The personnel platform 4may include any number of features needed to meet the requirements of agiven application. For example, the personnel platform may have room forone or more workers and one or more toolboxes. Further, the personnelplatform may include a 180-degree platform rotation mechanism, whichallows the platform to be aligned in any desired direction, or theplatform may include attachments such as a jib boom, which offersfurther flexibility of movement of the platform. The platform can alsoincludes a cage and a standing base. Controls are typically provided onthe platform for operating the articulating boom and the drive system.The components of the lift system described thus far are standard in theindustry, and their assembly and operation are well known in the art. Ascan be appreciated, the platform can include one or more components ofan arc welder to enable one or more operators in the platform to executeone or more welding operations. For example, one or more weldingcontrols can be included on the platform to enable an operator to setthe welder for certain welding condition and/or to start or stop thewelder. The platform may also include various connectors and/or weldingaccessories such as, but not limited to, a wire feeder for a weldinggun, welding gun holder, welding gas connectors to connect to a remotegas source, gas cylinder holders, electrode holders, tool box, etc. Theoperation of the lift system will be readily understood by those skilledin the art and others from the foregoing description. For example, theposition of the personnel platform may be raised or lowered by using anumber of controls mounted on the platform. Supplying or withdrawinghydraulic fluid to or from one or more cylinders on the boom causes theboom to lift and/or lower. As will be readily understood by thoseskilled in this art, there are numerous articulating boom positionswhere the personnel platform is offset from the drive chassis by anamount sufficient to apply a tilt force on the turntable and the drivechassis.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides aself-contained, portable and fully integrated unit 100 that can beeasily and conveniently transported to various work sites for use inwelding, providing auxiliary electric power, hydraulic fluid and/orproviding pressurized air. In addition, the housing of the internalcombustion engine, electric alternator, hydraulic system and the aircompressor (when included) results in a noise level reduction, therebyimproving the work environment. Furthermore, the combined welder andhydraulic system and air compressor (when included) in the housingfacilitates in the quick and easy connection and removal of weldingequipment, electrical equipment, and/or hydraulic tools and/or air tools(when a compressor system is included) on the housing.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment and alternatives thereof. It is believed that manymodifications and alterations to the embodiments disclosed readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the detailed description of the invention. It is intendedto include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the present invention.

1. A method of providing pressurized hydraulic fluid from an enginewelder comprising: providing a housing that contains an engine that ismounted in said housing; providing an electric current generator that ismounted in said housing and connected to said engine to be driventhereby; providing a hydraulic unit that is mounted in said housing,said hydraulic unit including a hydraulic pump that is powered by saidengine, said current generator, or combinations thereof; providing atleast one electrical outlet on said housing for use by weldingequipment; and providing at least one hydraulic fluid outlet on saidhousing.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step ofpowering said hydraulic pump by a primary drive, an auxiliary drive, orcombinations thereof of said engine by a belt arrangement, a geararrangement, or combinations thereof.
 3. The method as defined in claim2, including the step of providing a clutch to engage and disengage saidhydraulic pump from said belt arrangement, said gear arrangement, orcombinations thereof.
 4. The method as defined in claim 1, including thestep of powering said hydraulic pump by an electric motor that iselectrically connected to said electric current generator.
 5. The methodas defined in claim 1, including the step of providing an accumulatormounted in said housing to be fluidly connected to said hydraulic pump.6. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of monitoring apressure, a flow rate, or combinations thereof of a hydraulic fluid insaid hydraulic unit.
 7. The method as defined in claim 1, including thestep of generating a control signal to activate or deactivate saidhydraulic pump based at least partially on said monitored pressure,monitored flow rate, or combinations thereof of said hydraulic fluid. 8.The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of providing ahydraulic fluid access on an exterior surface of said housing.
 9. Themethod as defined in claim 1, including the step of providing an aircompressor mounted in said housing.
 10. The method as defined in claim9, including the step of powering said air compressor by said engine,said current generator, or combinations thereof.
 11. The method asdefined in claim 9, including the step of providing a receiver tankmounted in said housing to be fluidly connected to said air compressor.12. The method as defined in claim 11, including the step of monitoringa pressure in said receiver tank.
 13. The method as defined in claim 12,including the step of generating a control signal to activate ordeactivate said air compressor based at least partially on saidmonitored air pressure level in said receiver tank.
 14. The method asdefined in claim 9, including the step of providing an air pressuregauge on an exterior surface of said housing.
 15. The method as definedin claim 9, including the step of providing a pressurized air access onan exterior surface of said housing.
 16. The method as defined in claim1, including the step of providing at least one pressurized air outleton said housing.
 17. The method as defined in claim 1, including thestep of providing a movement mechanism to enable said housing to bemoved over a ground surface.
 18. The method as defined in claim 17,wherein said movement mechanism is powered by said hydraulic unit. 19.The method as defined in claim 17, wherein said movement mechanism ispowered by said electric generator.
 20. The method as defined in claim1, including the step of positioning said housing on a lift unit. 21.The method as defined in claim 20, including the step of powering saidlift unit by said hydraulic unit.